Gerald McCoy has shot at Bucs history

McCoy enters the final game of the season (Sunday at New Orleans) with nine sacks. He has a chance to join Warren Sapp (who had double-digit sacks three times) and Santana Dotson as the only defensive tackles in franchise history to record 10 sacks in a season.

“I think it’s quite an honor for an inside player to have 10 sacks,’’ coach Greg Schiano said. “That doesn’t happen a lot. Gerald’s that kind of player. God willing, he stays healthy, I expect that to be the yearly norm rather than an exception. That doesn’t happen a lot. That’s a special feat. We need him to do that for us to win this week.’’

McCoy made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career last year, but I think this clearly has been a breakthrough season. McCoy often has been a dominant force in the middle.

‘I’ve seen improvement in every phase,’’ Schiano said. “His run defense, his pass defense, his understanding of the game. He’s improving as a football player, and that’s one of the neat things about Gerald. He’s such a gifted athlete, but he works so hard and has bought in so full into what we’re doing that he makes strides every day.’’